Product Description

The names are familiar - Rick Warren (The Purpose Driven Life), Bruce Wilkinson (The Prayer of Jabez), Robert Schuler (The Crystal Cathedral), Eugene Peterson (The Message Bible) - and together they have made millions of dollars through their respective books and ministries. But their unsuspecting readers and viewers may never realize where their source materials can be found. Warren Smith, once deeply involved with the New Age movement, brings a nuanced perspective on the occult roots of much of the popular evangelical movement in his . By having been familiar with the occult in his pre-Christian life, Smith is able to see them clearly and articulate them to those who might not be aware that there is something under the surface of these ostensibly authoritative Christian leaders. By examining these ministries and comparing them to deeply New Age teachers and teachings (Marianne Williamson's A Course in Miracles, Wayne Dyer, Neale Donald Walsch, Bernie Siegel, Gerald Jampolsky) Smith traces the strains of influence going back to the core of New Age teaching and the Human Potential movement.

Publisher's Description

Christian author Warren Smith’s book Deceived on Purpose warns about the serious implications of Pastor Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose Driven Life. Smith takes the reader into the inner working of today’s evangelical world as he explains the questionable interconnections of Christian and New Age leaders, and the possibility of Rick Warren’s Peace Plan merging with the New Age Peace Plan. Smith contends that New Age sympathizer Robert Schuller has had a great influence on Rick Warren’s teachings and that Schuller’s influence can be found in Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose Driven Life. Smith was a former New Age follower and he draws from his knowledge of the New Age subculture that is being subtly weaved into the Christian culture.

Author Bio

Warren Smith earned his B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania and M.S.W. from Tulane University. He is a freelance writer and community social worker who was formerly involved in the New Age movement. He has written extensively on he subject of spiritual deception and has been widely interviewed on radio and television.

ChristianBookPreviews.com

Not being greatly impressed with Rick Warren's The Purpose Driven Church and The Purpose Driven Life, I felt ready to read Warren Smith's critique of them, Deceived on Purpose. My three complaints with Rick Warren's books were: 1. the Holy Spirit gets little mention; 2. I, me, and my are overly used; 3. the idea, while marketed knowledgeably, is not unique.
In Deceived on Purpose, Smith critiques these books from a different stance. Christ rescued Smith from a deeply involved New Age background. Since Smith's salvation, he has researched the New Age movement extensively. With this background, Smith recognizes many New Age nuances in Rick Warren's works. Smith firmly considers the King James Version as the most reliable translation of the Bible. Rick Warren uses a superabundance of translations, picking whichever version presents his idea most clearly. In this critique, Smith uses Rick Warren's statements as springboards to also point out that the Bible version, The Message, and Robert Schuller, Pastor of the Crystal Cathedral, are influenced by New Age thought.
This book begins with a look at some of Rick Warren's background, leading up to his two Purpose Driven books, finding similarities between these and New Age idea. Deceived on Purpose continues looking at Rick Warren's books and thoughts, introducing us to many New Age personalities via their quotes. Smith also quotes himself extensively, and, uses I, me, and my often. He closes with warnings about New Age ideas concerning Jesus, including His coming again, comparing them with Bible statements about our Lord. His last section encourages believers to ask God for His wisdom as new ideas are presented. All Smith's quotes from himself and others are fully annotated.
Right now, it is not clear that Smith is any more correct than Warren. The reader must ask God for His wisdom in handling all this. Whatever the rights and wrongs of this topic, whether you are a Warren fan or a Smith fan, or even rather disinterested, Deceived on Purpose is an interesting, challenging book, full of information applicable to subjects other than the one discussed. It will definitely start your thought and argument juices flowing.  Donna Eggett, Christian Book Previews.com

I was very thankful for this book. My eyes were opened to the truth. The Lord used this book to expose the false teachings that our family was being exposed to. Very subtle but always had a check in my spirit. The author did his research and I did my own while reading the book. It all checks out!

This is an excellent book. The reason I believe this book is so important is because Warren Smith was in the New Age Movement himself before he came to the know the real Christ through a Bible someone gave him. His background makes it possible for him to see things that most of us might overlook. For instance, the change Eugene Peterson has made in the Lord's prayer in his paraphrase of the Bible, The Message, is quite eye-opening when Smith explains it. The phrase is definitely New Age. And in several newer versions, Ephesians 4:6, has not been translated properly from the original, making God in all things and in everyone...not just Christians. I never thought I would say this, but after reading this book, I am going to stick with my King James or the New King James translations as the final authority. Smith also shows more than casual connections between Robert Schuller, the New Age and Rick Warren and others. Actually, the facts in this book would be frightening if we did not realize that God is really in contol and we are His. Smith believes a persecution within the Church is coming. To get a more complete picture of the "New Spirituality" and the "Emergent Movement" within the Church today, you might be interested in also reading, A Time of Departing by Ray Yungen and Faith Undone by Roger Oakland. I do not know which of these three is more important. It seems like they fit together like a puzzle. They carry a vital message to the Church if we are to keep from being deceived in these last days. I highly recommend all three.

In this book Warren Smith only touches the tip of the iceburg. The truth in his book can be more clearly understood if one will truly seek truth. The history of deceipt entering into our modern church organizations go far back into our history. Without the apologetics research, that Smith and others have done thoughout the years, we would not understand the different cults popping up left and right. Also, look at the fruit the movements such as the Purpose Driven Life has brought forth. And compare EVERYTHING with scripture. So, before you condemn this book, research the subject and seek to know the truth even if it hurts.

THIS IS A MUST READ BOOK! God has used Warren Smith to expose the enemy of the Purpose Driven Churches. Warren is not attacking Rick Warren, Bruce Wilkinson, Robert Schuler, Eugene Peterson but exposing the deceit, lies, and connections with this New theology of Heaven on Earth. God used Warren Smith's past life as a New Ager to bring this evil to light! I commend him for the time and research that he did. It was only through His relationship with Christ that God used him to expose this. Thank you God! May God get this book into the hands of the multitude! May they have eyes to see and ears that will hear!

I give it two stars because I found it to be overreaching. This book is more or less a review of Rick Warren's "Purpose Driven" books. My problem with "Deceived On Purpose" is that I think Mr. Smith is so passionate about preventing others from being deceived that he may have been overly sensitive to the use of some words in the "Purpose Driven" books. In "The Purpose Driven Life" I find that the text does adhere to the truth of God's plan for Salvation and does not deny the need for repentance for sins. The hallmark of "New Age" beliefs is that there is no sin and no need to repent. Like Mr. Smith, I too question Rick Warren's use of "The Message", a paraphrase of the Bible, and to some extent, Rick Warren's credibility, since he is closely associated with Robert Schuller.